Washington, 1 February 2023 (GNP): The US accused Russia of not following the last remaining nuclear treaty, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), in true spirit. This treaty was signed by Moscow and Washington in 2011 and was extended for another period of five years in 2021 by the two sides. It limits both sides in the deployment of their strategic nuclear warheads and their delivery system through land, sea, and air.
Earlier in August 2022, Russia announced that it would no longer allow the US inspection of its nuclear installations, as it also blamed Washington for creating hindrances in the inspection of their nuclear sites.
However, The US government rejected this accusation of Moscow.
In response to an answer from Congress, the US State Department pointed out that Russia is not responding in the true spirit of the New Start.
Also Read: PM Shahbaz Sharif condemns suicide attack in Peshawar
However, it does not accuse Russia of starting a new arms race. The State Department confirmed that Moscow piling of more nuclear weapons is still within agreement limits. But such a move and action by Russia would endanger the viability and the long-term stability of Moscow-Washington relations.
Russia should return to Bilateral Consultative Commission, a forum set up under this New START agreement, for discussing their bilateral issues. There are no limitations or obstructions to the Russian inspectors examining the US nuclear facilities under this treaty.
The relations between the two powers are at a very level now as the US is leading a drive to punish Moscow both economically and militarily for invading Ukraine. NATO and its European allies are pouring out billions of dollars in aid to Kyiv, both in cash and in kind.
While Moscow categorically blames the US and the West for waging a proxy war against it in Ukraine.
President Putin even warned that Russia would not deter from using nuclear weapons to get back its lost territory, namely Ukraine.
The scheduled meeting between the Russian and American officials last November in Cairo was postponed by Moscow for the toxic and inimical behavior of Washington